Sports Reporter
WASHBURN — The Beaver girls soccer team holds an impressive 9-1-1 record, but unlike last year, the squad has been challenged in many of their contests.
Washburn has had some holes to fill. Carsyn Koch, the second-leading goal scorer in 2011, decided not to play in order to concentrate on cross country running. Also, sophomore Joan Overman had shoulder surgery after scoring seven goals in the team’s first four games and will miss the remainder of the season. Still, fourth-year coach Marcie Barbarula has plenty of talent to draw from.
Mackenzie Worcester, a sophomore, has been the offensive catalyst, just as she was last year. She is the team’s starting striker and is flanked by junior Kennedy Churchill and freshman Laina Mette, who took Overman’s spot.
Junior Carmen Bragg, senior Maegan Fitzpatrick and sophomore Mikayla Churchill are the midfielders, while the defense includes junior Nicole Olson at stopper, sophomore Catelyn Coulombe at sweeper and senior Olivia Doody and sophomore Tyra Shaw on the wings. There is a veteran presence in goal as senior Rayah Saucier is back for her fourth season at the position.
The reserves are junior Caitlyn Roix, sophomores Lucia Bragg and Brittany Hernandez and freshmen Taylor Howe, Emmy Churchill, Brooklyn Plummer, Mariah Campbell, Natalie Doody, Brittany Corey, Grace Braley, Jenica Harris and Jessica Aube. Sophomore Mariena Bragg is the manager and Scott Olson is a third-year assistant coach.
Washburn went 15-1 and lost in the semifinals to Van Buren last year. They are hoping to advance further, but Barbarula knows the road will not be easy.
“The girls have played some hard-fought games as there is a lot of great competition in Aroostook County this year, including Fort Fairfield, Easton, Central Aroostook and Ashland. They have some great talent and speed that we have to match up with,” Barbarula said.
The key personnel losses have contributed to an offense that was not as powerful as last year’s, as evidenced by the six games in which the team has scored two goals or less. However, the defense has been up for the challenge as the team has four shutouts in its last six contests and five overall.
The team’s regular season schedule resumes Oct. 11 with a home match against Van Buren. Limestone-MSSM (at home Oct. 13) and Fort Fairfield (at Fort Oct. 15) are the remaining teams on the slate before the playoffs begin later this month.
